The Bartender Spirits Awards has announced a new RTD Producer of the Year award for its 2027 competition, expanding its recognition of ready-to-drink cocktails beyond individual products.

The award joins the existing RTD of the Year title and will recognize producers whose entered ranges demonstrate consistent quality, value and performance. Distilleries and brands producing spirit-based cocktails in cans, bottles and other ready-to-drink formats are invited to participate.

For bartenders and beverage buyers, the distinction addresses two different purchasing considerations: finding an outstanding cocktail and identifying a producer with a consistently strong range.

A Portfolio Award With Defined Qualifying Criteria

To qualify for RTD Producer of the Year, a producer must:

- Enter a minimum of four distinct RTD products.
- Earn at least two Gold medals or higher across those entries.
- Achieve an average score above 85 points across all their entered RTD products.

The qualifying producer with the highest average portfolio score will receive the award. Each product will be judged individually, with all entered RTDs included in the producer’s portfolio average.

Every entered product will also remain eligible for its own medal and applicable individual awards.

The existing RTD of the Year award will continue to recognize the individual RTD with the highest overall score among RTD entries. Producers can compete for that title with a single product.

What the Award Means for Bar Buyers

RTD purchasing decisions can extend beyond the appeal of one recipe. A hotel, event venue or bar operator sourcing several cocktails may also consider whether a producer can deliver comparable quality across different flavors and styles.

The new portfolio award is designed to highlight that consistency. A range might include familiar cocktails such as Margaritas and Espresso Martinis, spirit-and-mixer combinations or original recipes aimed at different drinking occasions.

For hospitality operators, these products can offer practical service options in settings such as hotel minibars, poolside bars, stadiums, catering and venues with limited cocktail preparation facilities.

Their usefulness still depends on what reaches the glass. Taste, balance, mouthfeel, presentation and price all influence whether a product fits an operator’s drinks program.

Evaluation by U.S. Hospitality Professionals

RTD entries will be assessed through the Bartender Spirits Awards’ standard judging process, using the following criteria:

- Mixability.
- Balance and versatility.
- Taste, mouthfeel and finish.
- Packaging.
- Value.

The judging panel includes bartenders, bar managers, beverage directors and on-premise buyers, bringing a hospitality perspective to the evaluation.

For producers, the competition offers an opportunity to have both individual recipes and their wider portfolios assessed by professionals involved in selecting and serving drinks.

Entries Invited for 2027

The addition gives RTD producers two routes to category recognition at the 2027 Bartender Spirits Awards: RTD of the Year for an individual product and RTD Producer of the Year for a qualifying portfolio.

Distilleries and brands interested in participating can find entry information on the Bartender Spirits Awards website.

Upcoming Webinar: How RTDs Can Win in the Bar

Alongside the award announcement, Bartender Spirits Awards and London Spirits Competition will host “How RTDs Can Win in the Bar” on November 27, 2026, at 12 p.m. EST.

The webinar will explore how ready-to-drink cocktails can earn bar listings, improve service efficiency, and create profitable new drinking occasions. The discussion will focus on what makes an RTD attractive to hospitality buyers and how producers can position their products for on-premise use.

RTD producers, bartenders, bar managers, and beverage buyers are invited to attend. Speaker details and registration information will be announced shortly. RSVP for the webinar here.

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